A hurting All Blacks outfit will be out to make amends for their round one loss to Argentina when the sides meet again at Eden Park on Saturday.
The Rugby Championship – Round 2
New Zealand v Argentina
Saturday 17 August 2024 – 09:05
Eden Park, Auckland
Razor’s All Blacks will be smarting following last week’s shock 38-30 reverse in Wellington against Argentina. A trip to Eden Park could be just the tonic that the hosts are looking for as they look to bounce back. Shaun Goosen previews.
To Win Match
New Zealand 1/8 | Draw 33/1 | Argentina 5/1
Handicap
New Zealand (-14.5) 9/10 | Argentina (+14.5) 9/10
With all due respect to Los Pumas, hardly anybody foresaw them taking the All Blacks down last week and denying them a bonus point in the process. That result has placed the Springboks in an ideal position from which to continue their assault on the title, but a blacklash does seem inevitable in Auckland this weekend.
This may seem a controversial take to some after what transpired in Wellington, but knowing the New Zealand DNA, they should be comfortable victors in this rematch. Scott Robertson’s squad are obviously still not quite on the same page game-plan-wise, but the Kiwi bouncebackability is infamous and their 30-year unbeaten record at Eden Park should be safe.
Razor has made four changes this week, with wingers Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke replacing Sevu Reece and Mark Tele’a respectively, and Rieko Ioane coming into the midfield at the expense of Anton Lienert-Brown. Tamaiti Williams is promoted at loosehead in place of an injured Ethan de Groot.
Even without influential skipper Julian Montoya, who returns this week, Felipe Contepomi and his charges were phenomenal in round one, but recording back-to-back wins over the ABs here would arguably be their greatest achievement– especially considering what has happened in the past between the sides.
14 days after the South Americans’ first win (25-15) over New Zealand in Sydney in 2020, the three-time world champions claimed a 38-0 result in New South Wales. Argentina’s second victory, 25-18 in Christchurch in 2022, was followed by a 53-3 thrashing in Hamilton.
The class of 2024 certainly don’t have history on their side.
Verdict: New Zealand (-14.5) 9/10
The All Blacks to earn back public favour with a big performance in Auckland.
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